VBT Active Vacations Announces Two New Trips

BRISTOL, VT — VBT Active Vacations, a leading provider of international bicycling and walking tours, has announced the launch of two new itineraries in 2010: Walking Costa Rica’s Central Highlands Walking Vacation and Hungary & Slovakia: The Best of the Danube Bicycling Vacation. According to VBT President Gregg Marston, these new vacations offer travelers “an enhanced selection of itineraries to choose from,” at the company’s trademark exceptional value.

Walking Costa Rica’s Central Highlands represents the 39-year-old company’s newest addition to its new-for-2010 line of walking vacations, which also visit Italy, France, Ireland and Peru. “Walking, like biking, is an excellent means for discovery, because it connects you to your surroundings with all your senses,” Marston says. He adds that, with its diversity of plants and wildlife, stunning natural beauty and commitment to preserving the environment, Costa Rica is an ideal destination for a walking tour.

The 7-day tour starts at $2295 and encompasses a variety of activities and cultural events, such as a rafting expedition, a visit with farmers at an organic farm, hikes along the slopes of volcanoes, a visit to the country’s largest family-owned coffee plantation, a dip in geothermal hot springs and a zip-line tour through a rain forest canopy. VBT Walking Vacations are not rigorously paced, so travelers can set their own tempo and enjoy time to immerse themselves in the local scenery and lifestyle.

VBT also prides itself on its distinctive accommodations, and this vacation will feature a stay at the Xandari Resort & Spa, which placed in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2009 Top 10 Central and South American Resorts. Pre- and post-trip extensions to Panama and Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast are also available.

Chris Skilling, VBT’s Director of Worldwide Product, is “thrilled” to offer this new vacation to VBT travelers. “My team has put together a very comprehensive vacation that offers the kind of mind-body-spirit connection we strive for in all of our trips,” he says. He adds that VBT was recently named among the “Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth” by National Geographic Adventure and has also been ranked among the “Top Three Best Bicycle Outfitters on Earth” by the magazine two years in a row.

Newest among VBT’s bicycling vacations is Hungary & Slovakia: The Best of the Danube, a 10-day tour that starts at $2795. “Our travelers have been asking for new choices to Central Europe,” Marston reveals, noting the popularity of the company’s Czech Republic, Germany & Austria and Slovenia, Austria & Italy bicycling vacations. “We listen to our travelers and are very pleased to add this new destination to our line-up.”

Like VBT’s new walking tour, Hungary & Slovakia: The Best of the Danube promotes harmony with the environment and offers an up-close experience of these two countries in a way that invigorates mind, body and spirit and refreshes all the senses. The tour follows easy bike paths along the Danube and through the Hungarian countryside and includes sightseeing tours of Hungary’s royal cities and a local train ride, as well as unique cultural events such as a home-hosted family meal, a cooking demonstration, a brandy tasting and a visit to an artist’s studio. Among the distinctive accommodations on the itinerary are the Arcadia Hotel and Mamaison Andrassy Hotel, both of which have been cited among the Leading Small Hotels of the World. Travelers may also add trip extensions to Bratislava, Slovakia, and Budapest, Hungary.

Unlike most active tour companies, VBT includes roundtrip international airfare for all vacations, and, new for 2010, they are also including all air fuel surcharges. In addition, both programs include superb accommodations, most meals, guided sightseeing and activities, support vehicles and other transport, transfers, use of VBT bicycles or walking poles, and more. Daily route choices and continuous road support give travelers the opportunity to tailor the pace to their individual tastes. Groups are limited to 14-20 travelers, with two dedicated local, bilingual VBT Trip Leaders offering expert guidance and support.